• Facing tough conditions? Don’t go through it alone
• Free financial counselling available now
• Will my dam fill this year? Soil moisture keeps score
• AgVic contacting land owners near Meredith and Terang
• Avian influenza information pop ups
• Livestock predation survey preliminary results
• The Fast Break - out now!
• More support for communities to fight pests and weeds
• Recording: Victoria's spring seasonal outlook
• Barwon farmer fined $10,000 with conviction for animal cruelty
• Fox and wild dog bounty
• In case you missed it
• What's on

Agriculture Victoria is encouraging farmers to take up ongoing support and assistance to help manage current difficult seasonal conditions.

Agriculture Victoria’s Aimee McCutcheon said Agriculture Victoria continues to monitor conditions across the state.

‘We know there’s been below average rainfall across most of Victoria during autumn and winter and that it’s a critical time for cropping, livestock and dairy production.

‘It’s important that farmers know that support is available to them to help make early and informed decisions.

Ms McCutcheon said the Agriculture Victoria website explains what support is available to farmers, including financial support and assistance, mental health and wellbeing support.

‘One example is the Australian Government’s Farm Household Allowance which is a fortnightly payment for eligible farmers.

‘Our website also provides access to other organisations that can help, such as the free services from the Rural Financial Counselling Services and the National Centre for Farmer Health.’

Ms McCutcheon said Agriculture Victoria offers extensive practical information, resources, tools and calculators to help farmers with forward planning, feed budgeting and livestock management.

‘All these free resources are available online 24 hours a day, or you can speak with staff at your local office.’

Visit the Agriculture Victoria website today agriculture.vic.gov.au for more information plus details of events coming up in your region or online.

For information on technical support, contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or email recovery@agriculture.vic.gov.au

The Rural Financial Counselling Service provides a free and confidential financial counselling service to eligible farmers and small related enterprises who are experiencing, or at risk of, financial hardship.

They can help you to access available support, analyse your business situation, negotiate with lenders and develop strategies to improve your financial position.

To find your closest service visit rfcsnetwork.com.au or call 1300 771 741.

Farmers in Victoria are encouraged to closely monitor their soil moisture and dam water levels over the coming months to ensure water availability is included in future planning.

Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer, Clem Sturmfels said during an extended period of below average rainfall and a change of season coming, the lack of runoff into farm dams is something to keep track of.

‘Farmers need saturated soils to generate runoff, the exception being when dams are located below a road or rocky hilltop.

‘Ensuring soils get to the point of saturation and generate runoff at this time of the year may be a challenge due to the rapid growth of crops and pastures and increasing rates of evaporation.

Above average or high intensity rainfall will be needed to fill dams.

‘High intensity rainfall or thunderstorms can quickly fill dams, however they can pose a pollution risk and shouldn’t be relied on in a dry year’, Mr Sturmfels said.

Agriculture Victoria manages soil moisture probes in various locations across the state. The probes provide real time soil water content data by recording soil water content from 30cm down to 1 metre as a reference point for a paddock.

‘The probes have been calibrated to the specific soil type in the paddocks and reflect a moisture percentage based on the maximum and minimum soil moisture available to plants.

This has been determined by monitoring over many years and a range of seasons’, Mr Sturmfels said.

‘These probes can be a useful guide to general conditions in your area however it is also important to check conditions closer to home.

A more detailed assessment can be made using a post hole auger or by driving a crowbar or steel probe into the ground.’

Subscribe to the Soil Moisture Monitoring newsletter and find out more information on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Information on preparing your farm for dry seasonal conditions can be found on the Agriculture Victoria website.

Clem Sturmfels is hosting a webinar on farm dam management on Wednesday 11 September from 12:30 to 1:30 pm.

Clem will talk about dam water storage, best management techniques and discuss tools for calculating how much water is in a dam.

Register here: Dry season spring webinar series – water and dam management.

Agriculture Victoria will be contacting property owners located near the avian influenza affected farms in the Meredith and Terang areas to check in.

Residents in the area may be contacted via phone or text.

We will be asking if you have chickens or other livestock on the property, and about the health of the animals.

Gathering this data helps us to plan our avian influenza response and lift the quarantine measures that are in place as soon as possible.

Be aware of scams. Agriculture Victoria will not ask for financial information or credit card details.

If you have any questions or want to report sick or dead birds, please contact the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226.

For more information visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianflu

Agriculture Victoria continues to reach out to local communities at our pop-up information stalls. 

This Saturday 7 September you will find us at:

Golden Plains Farmers Market 

22 Byron Street, Bannockburn

⌚ From 8.30 am to 12:30 pm

Terang Farmers Market 

 All Saints Church, Corner Thompson Street and Bourkes Road, Terang.  

⌚ From 9 am to 1 pm

To learn more, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/avianinfluenza

Preliminary results from Agriculture Victoria’s recent livestock predation survey will be discussed at targeted dingo conservation and management consultation activities being held across the state this week.

More than 500 Victorian livestock producers responded to the survey issued in July, providing valuable information about the levels and frequency of livestock attacks on their properties, the effectiveness of control methods and the impact of livestock predation on farmers and their local communities.

The insights collected through the survey will be considered alongside scientific research; conversations and perspectives from Traditional Owners, environmental and agricultural groups; and feedback collected through stakeholder engagement activities as part of Victoria’s review of its approach to dingo conservation and management.

Of the 500 survey respondents, approximately 72% were located in eastern Victoria, 3% in the north west.

The survey showed that livestock predation is an ongoing concern to sheep farmers whose properties border public land.

Just over half of the survey respondents reported incidents of livestock being maimed or killed by a wild dog or dingo in the past 5 years. 

Valuable insights into the methods of control being used to manage predation were revealed through the survey.

Most producers (84%) said they were using a mix of lethal and non-lethal control methods to manage predation with the most common forms of control methods being shooting, 1080 ground baiting, trapping, farm hygiene, exclusion fencing and guardian animals.

Agriculture Victoria is grateful to the hundreds of producers who took the time to take part in the survey.

Having up-to-date insights and perspectives from producers in relation to livestock predation on private properties across the state is an important input to Victoria’s dingo conservation and management review.

The survey results will continue to be analysed to help build Agriculture Victoria’s understanding of producer' perspectives on this complex issue.

For more information about consultation sessions being held across Victoria this week visit: agriculture.vic.gov.au/dingoreview

The latest The Fast Break newsletter is now available. 

This newsletter details oceanic and atmospheric climate driver activity over the last month and summarises three-month model predictions for the Pacific and Indian oceans, rainfall and temperature for Victoria.

To subscribe or to view the latest issue click here.

The Victorian Government is investing an additional $780,500 in support for community groups to protect their local environment, industries and cultural heritage from biosecurity threats.

Minister for Agriculture Ros Spence recently opened the third round of the Partnerships Against Pests grants program which provides community groups funding to deliver projects that educate, strengthen relationships and promote collaboration to manage established weeds and pest animals at a local level over a two year period.

Grants of between $10,000 and $50,000 are available to a wide range of agricultural and environmental not-for-profit organisations, including Landcare groups and networks.

This is on top of $250,000 made available to Victoria’s 4 Community Pest Management Groups – Victorian Blackberry Taskforce, Victorian Gorse Taskforce, Victorian Rabbit Action Network and the Victorian Serrated Tussock Working Party – to expand their reach and strengthen partnerships with local communities.

The Partnerships Against Pests grants program has been embraced by Victorian community groups which have used the funding to help strengthen efforts to reduce the impact of invasive weeds and pests on Victorian landscapes.

An example of this from Round 2 of the program is a $30,000 grant for Bush Heritage Australia, in partnership with DJANDAK share the story about how they successfully removed wheel cactus at Buckrabanyule - a sacred site for the Dja Dja Wurrung people and wider Kulin Nation.

The Partnerships Against Pests funding is being used to promote this story of ‘Country, cactus and combating invasives’, so that a much wider audience can learn from their collaboration.

To help more community groups to access grants, Agriculture Victoria will host a webinar at 11am on Monday, 9 September to brief interested organisations on the application and submission process.

For details about the Partnerships Against Pests grants program and webinar visit, agriculture.vic.gov.au.

In this webinar recording, Seasonal Risk Agronomist Dale Grey discussed the recent seasonal conditions including rainfall, temperature and deep soil moisture levels across the state.

We looked at what the latest global models are forecasting for spring and shared information on the dry seasons support available to farmers.

Climate Specialist Graeme Anderson, and Dale, took a deeper look into the current seasonal risks and helped bust some common myths around making sense of forecasts.

VIEW THE RECORDING HERE

Duration: 67 minutes (including questions)

Password: Climate

This webinar was originally presented on Wednesday 14 August 2024 at 12 pm.

All climate webinar recordings can be found on our website.

More information

For more information about these webinars, including assistance joining the webinar, email climate.webinars@agriculture.vic.gov.au

A Barwon farmer recently pleaded guilty in the Geelong Magistrates Court and was fined $10,000 with conviction. A disqualification order to own or person in charge of livestock was also imposed for 7 years.

The farmer, Mr Torrick Ouaida, was the person in charge of approximately 200 sheep in Lara between July 2022 and August 2022.

The 200 sheep were contained to an area of approximately 2 hectares with no pasture and only poor-quality straw available to eat.

While attending the property officers observed a number of recently deceased sheep that had died within the past 48 hours, were in emaciated body condition and had various levels of predatory markings.

Three of the sheep had died during or very shortly after lambing.

Mr Ouaida failed to provide proper and sufficient feed, and failed to provide veterinary treatment to the sheep, most of which were pregnant or lactating ewes.

Following a sentencing indication, Mr Ouaida pleaded guilty to 2 counts of animal cruelty and 2 of aggravated cruelty resulting in the death of 20 sheep and the serious disablement of a further 14 sheep.

His Honour took into account Mr Ouaida’s lack of priors, plea of guilty and his personal circumstances at the time of offending and remarked this is a matter that often carries very large fines.

Agriculture Victoria Compliance Manager Daniel Bode said the weight of the 7 year disqualification order is substantial and will ensure that animals are protected from further pain and suffering.

‘It sends a very clear message that those who continually commit offences against animals should not have the privilege and opportunity to care for them in the future,’ Mr Bode said.

‘Apart from the obvious pain and suffering of the animals, animal welfare breaches can jeopardise Victoria’s reputation as a humane and responsible producer of food, which can, in turn, affect all producers.

‘This is a reminder to all livestock producers that animal cruelty will not be tolerated by the Victorian Government or our community.’

Anyone wishing to make a specific complaint regarding livestock welfare can contact Agriculture Victoria on 136 186 or aw.complaint@agriculture.vic.gov.au

Victoria’s bounty collections continue.

Please continue to check our website for the latest information, collection centres and dates. CLICK HERE

For any assistance, please speak to our bounty collection staff on collection days or call our Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Celebrating the best of Victoria this Melbourne Show

Hundreds of thousands of visitors from across the world are expected to visit the Melbourne Royal Show this September and experience the best agriculture, food, and entertainment Victoria has to offer.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Five key tips for silage this season

Capitalising on any spring surplus will be critical on farms this year. While some things are out of our control, focusing on these key factors will help ensure that you get the best possible return.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Varroa mite detected in Victoria

Agriculture Victoria has confirmed varroa mite has been detected for the first time in Victoria at a property in Nangiloc near Mildura.

The infested hive was identified during Agriculture Victoria’s surveillance activities which are carried out each year during almond pollination.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Avian influenza movement restrictions eased

A poultry housing requirement that has been in effect to control the spread of high pathogenicity avian influenza near Terang and Meredith was lifted for some birds from Thursday 15 August 2024.

READ THE MEDIA RELEASE IN FULL HERE

Details about Agriculture Victoria events can now be found in one spot on our website. Log on to agriculture.vic.gov.au/events to find out what's on.

The government is reviewing its approach to dingo management to most appropriately balance the protection of livestock and the conservation of dingoes.

Our understanding about dingoes in Victoria has evolved as a result of new scientific research.

Evidence suggests that a significant proportion of wild dogs are pure dingoes, not hybrids as previously believed.

No decision has been made yet on future policy settings beyond 1 October when the current unprotection order is set to expire.

The livestock predation survey showed that many landowners would like a further opportunity to meet in person to discuss how they are impacted by current regulatory settings and to provide views on how Victoria could achieve a balance between dingo conservation and predation management.

If you have a question for DEECA or wish to provide further input, please join us from 1pm to hear from senior DEECA staff.

Feedback from this consultation will build on our understanding of the economic and social impacts of the dingo unprotection order, as informed by recent stakeholder engagement, correspondence, and data collection exercises.

DEECA values the insight you can bring to this issue, and we hope you can join us at short notice. Find out more about the review.

The Farm Business Program is supporting farmers to develop the knowledge and skills they need to improve their farm business and be better equipped to manage the impacts of drought and a changing climate.

Course details:

• Monday 9 September, 11 am to 2 pm - Climate risk and natural resource management
• Thursday 19 September, 11 am to 2 pm - Business success
• Monday 30 September, 11 am to 2 pm - People success 
• Monday 14 October, 12 to 2 pm - Plan review. 

Location:  Register online today.

Visit the Agriculture Victoria website  for all the program details.

In a time when mental health challenges in the farming community are high, the Wellbeing team at Rural Financial Counselling Service (RFCS) Victoria West have developed Talk the Talk, a workshop specifically designed for rural suppliers and service providers to make it easier to talk to farmers about their mental health. 

The full program is designed by accredited mental health practitioners who have been working face to face with farmers in the south-west region.

Talk the Talk teaches participants about mental health observation skills and strategies, while providing easy to use communication techniques.

The sessions are practical and allow participants to know how to help the person in front of them experiencing a mental health challenge and how to take next steps for more support.

Talk the Talk Warrnambool

DATE: Monday 9 September
WHERE: Warrnambool, Pavilion (La Bella Function Room)
TIME: 9 am - 12 pm

REGISTER HERE

Talk the Talk Camperdown

DATE: Friday 13 September
WHERE: Camperdown, Killara Centre
TIME: 9 am - 12 pm

REGISTER HERE

DATE: Monday 9 September

TIME: 11 am - 12 pm

REGISTER FOR ONLINE WEBINAR

Are you a member of a community group looking for funding to tackle established invasive species?

The Partnerships Against Pests grants program can provide funding of up to $50,000 for 1 and 2 year projects that boost your community's capacity to manage established weeds and pest animals.

Join our webinar to learn more about Round 3 of the Partnerships Against Pests grants program.

The webinar will include information about the Partnerships Against Pests program objectives, the grant application and submission process and give attendees the opportunity to ask questions.

Webinar 2 – Farm Dam management  

Date: Wednesday 11 September  

Time: 12:30-1:30 pm 

Clem Sturmfels, Agriculture Victoria Land Management Extension Officer will talk about best practice dam management and tools for calculating how much water is in a dam. 

For more information and to register visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/events

The sessions will run for about an hour with a chance to answer some questions at the end.  

Webinars will be recorded and shared to all registered participants.

DATE: Friday 6 September

TIME: 9:30 am - 1:30 pm

WHERE: Ballarat Sale Yards, 139 Sunraysia Hwy, Miners Rest.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Enhance your stock handling skills at Ballarat. Join us for an engaging, hands-on session with the Stock Sense team, featuring renowned stock handling expert Jack Briscoe.

Discover stress-free stock handling techniques designed to benefit both cattle and handlers.

Hannah Manning from Agriculture Victoria will share insights on biosecurity and animal welfare that can be applied.

Collaboration between industry and government is key during an emergency animal disease (EAD) outbreak, and the Livestock Industry Liaison plays an important role in this response.

If you work in the livestock industry and want to learn more about this role, we have an opportunity for you.

From 29-30 October, Agriculture Victoria and Animal Health Australia will host Exercise Audiatur — a scenario-based exercise responding an EAD outbreak.

This exercise will take place at Agriculture Victoria’s Attwood Centre, providing valuable insights into how emergency responses are coordinated.

Registration details 

To participate, contact your Peak Industry Body to submit an Expression of Interest before Friday, 6 September.

Click here for more information.

The BCG Main Field Day is on Wednesday 11 September.

Agriculture Victoria's Audrey Delahunty will be presenting.

The event offers growers and advisors the latest in local agronomic research including disease management, new varieties, new herbicide technology, nutrition and farming systems.

Entry is free for BCG members.

Register and find out more from the BCG website.

DATE: Tuesday 17 September

TIME: 9:30 am registration and morning tea 10 am - 3 pm

WHERE: Mortlake Soldiers Memorial Hall, Shaw Street, Mortlake.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

RSVP by Thursday 12 September.

Western Victorian Angus Region and Agriculture Victoria invite you to a free farm business succession planning workshop with Dr Mike Stephens agricultural consultant and Director of Meridian and James Castley Principal at Sinclair Wilson.

You will leave the workshop with new skills and strategies to achieve a successful succession plan.

Reminder - if you attend the workshop, you are eligible for free a one-on-one chat with a farm business consultant. 

If you have any questions email Kate McCue or call on 0407 099 793.

DATE: 17 and 18 September

TIME: 8:30 am - 3 pm

LOCATION: Skipton Golf and Bowls Club, 26 Rokewood–Skipton Road, Skipton.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

PRESENTER: Dr Kate Burke

Kate is an independent farm consultant who has a PhD and extensive experience in crop agronomy and dryland agriculture.

Kate will share an evidence-based approach to elevate your farming skills in the face of various seasonal conditions and other situations that affect farm performance.

Topics include:

• key profit drivers and high-level benchmarks
• income vs cost of production and impact of rotation
• calculating basic financial benchmarks
• understanding your personal appetite for risk
• understanding your production potential to assess variation in profit
• managing climate variability and farm financial performance
• scenario planning for the 2024 and 2025 seasons and beyond.

This event is free.

Participants who complete the 2-day course and business plans will be eligible for a free, 45–90 minute one-on-one planning review with Kate Burke.

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Victorian Government’s Future Agriculture Skills Capacity Fund.

DATE: Wednesday 18 September 
TIME: 10 am – 12 pm
WHERE: The Colac Central Hotel, 10 Murray Street, Colac.

REGISTER ONLINE HERE

Join BetterBeef Project Leader Darren Hickey from Agriculture Victoria for an information session about starting a local BetterBeef group.

The BetterBeef Network has been established for Victorian beef producers.

The statewide network provides opportunities for beef producers to access the latest beef research messages and participate in courses that increase skills and knowledge.

The focus of the network is on increasing the profitability and sustainability of beef enterprises.

For more information contact Hannah Manning, Livestock Industry Development Officer on 0400 532 595 or email.

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